I’M IIBA Stories: PAOLA

In the latest edition of I’M IIBA – uplifting what we know to be the true character and positive contributions of immigrants in the Bay Area – we highlight the inspirational story of Paola. Part of IIBA’s network of pro bono attorneys, Paola assists with a range of removal defense matters, including pro se cases. Under the supervision of IIBA attorneys, Paola helps asylum seekers prepare and supplement their asylum applications and obtain work permits, providing critical support as they navigate complex legal processes.

Paola regularly volunteers at Redwood City’s monthly deportation defense clinics, where she provides consultations to individuals and families from across Northern California.

Whenever there’s an opportunity to support a family in need, Paola is eager to step up. We’re grateful for volunteers like Paola and their commitment to serving our community.

MEET PAOLA

I’M PAOLA

My earliest memories of my hometown, Lima, Peru, take me back to when I was about two years old, hugging my father’s leg while he ate dinner, listening intently to his conversation with my mother. I did the same thing on weekends with my paternal grandfather, an architect and builder who sometimes came home with work materials stuck in his shoes! My grandfather led projects for wealthy clients and very humble communities alike. My grandmother was a dedicated midwife who, now at age 100, is enjoying her retirement. I remember having lunch with the family when there would be a knock at the door; she would immediately grab her black bag full of instruments and run out. She would always return with the story of a newborn she had helped bring into the world. 

My happiest memories of Peru revolve around playing with my friends from the neighborhood. I would come home from school, have lunch, do my homework, and go out to play until the moon came out. I also remember visiting my cousins at my paternal grandmother’s house, riding my bike until dusk, and then lying on the grass to enjoy ice cream when I was between 7 and 9 years old.

I’M AN IMMIGRANT

The first time I left Peru was around 1985, when the terrorist organization Shining Path’s activities were at their peak. At that time, my mother was appointed a diplomatic officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work at the Peruvian Embassy in Montevideo, Uruguay. All of us except my father moved with her because of his work in the Peruvian Investigative Police. 

We lived in Montevideo for several years and returned to Peru when I was 15. I had just finished high school and promptly enrolled in law school. During my final two years of school, I worked for the Association of Visual Artists of Peru, where I discovered a passion for intellectual property law and realized the limitations of educational resources in that field in Lima. Once I graduated in 2000, I applied to an intellectual property law program at the University of San Francisco (USF) School of Law. I chose this program in part because my mother had been assigned to the Peruvian Consulate in San Francisco, and my father and siblings moved with her. I was excited by the idea of studying in the United States and then returning to my country. However, my plans changed, and I ended up staying in California.

On my first day in California, my father picked me up at the airport; we drove all over San Francisco, and he said something to me that really stuck with me: “Hija, don’t set limits on whatever you want to do—we’ll always support you.”

Initially, I moved into my parents’ house in Concord. My adjustment was very smooth and enjoyable. Since my mother worked at the Peruvian consulate, I was always surrounded by my culture and my people. In addition, my church community welcomed me with open arms from day one, connecting me with other female lawyers in the Bay Area. After graduating from my master’s program, I moved to Fremont, where I lived for ten years, and then to Livermore, where I currently live. I have always been an active member of my Peruvian community and the Hispanic community in general. inseparable since. He has been a valuable part of my success, as he motivated me to strive forward in my last semester at university. I can never thank him enough for his utmost kindness. I was also able to accomplish these achievements thanks to the support of my beautiful family, who have guided me and been my motivation every step of the way. 

I’M AN ATTORNEY

I chose law because I’ve always loved art, working with people, and solving problems. Since I took ballet and theater classes from a very young age, my original goal was to become a lawyer for visual artists, video creators, photographers, and theater artists.

However, something life-changing happened on my second day in the country. While waiting for classes to start at USF, I decided to go explore Berkeley—its university, record stores, and bookstores. Walking through the city, I saw a very old church with people going in and out of the basement. Upon entering, I discovered it housed an immigrant aid center called The East Bay Sanctuary. Not only did I learn a great deal about this country’s immigration laws, but as I listened to the immigrants’ testimonies, I was confronted with a turbulent, cruel, and almost inhumane reality.

Although I worked for many years in the field of workers’ compensation after graduating, I never stopped supporting the immigrant community. Finally, in 2026, I made the firm decision to devote myself fully to immigration law, to apply the laws directly to improve people’s lives. 

Outside of the legal field, I continue to pursue my passions: being a mom, taking ballet classes, reading, hiking in the mountains, and traveling. For me, the best part of traveling is discovering small shops, meeting people, trying local foods, and connecting with the way of life in different communities. But I’d say my greatest passion is being a mom; I firmly believe that my greatest achievement as a human being is learning to be a better mother every day.

I discovered IIBA while searching online for an organization where I could offer my help and, at the same time, continue learning about immigration law. I’ve been involved with the institution since mid-March 2026.

Being part of the IIBA is a source of deep pride and a blessing. It’s a wonderful place where the desire to teach and receive support abounds. I learn so much from the organization, its team of professionals, and the people who come to us seeking legal advice. Today, when my fellow Peruvians or acquaintances need help with their immigration processes, I don’t hesitate to tell them with my head held high that I am part of this great community dedicated to serving others.